By Will Peralta
Photo by Will Peralta
The Washington Wizards put up a valiant effort against the New York Knicks on Saturday, but ultimately fell short in overtime, losing 136-132. The Wizards were severely depleted due to injuries, missing key players Kyle Kuzma and Jordan Poole.
Despite being undermanned, the Wizards managed to keep pace with the Knicks, thanks in large part to Justin Champagnie’s career-high 31 points and 10 rebounds. Champagnie was a bright spot for the Wizards, shooting efficiently from beyond the arc and providing a much-needed scoring punch.
However, the Knicks’ Jalen Brunson proved to be too much for the Wizards to handle. Brunson dropped a season-high 55 points, including 42 in the second half and overtime. He also dished out nine assists and made several crucial plays down the stretch to seal the win for the Knicks.
The Wizards’ injury woes were evident throughout the game, with several players struggling to keep up with the Knicks’ pace. Malcolm Brogdon added 22 points for the Wizards, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the loss of Kuzma and Poole.
Despite the loss, the Wizards can take heart from their competitive performance against one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference. They’ll look to bounce back on Monday against the same Knicks team.
Key Stats:
• Jalen Brunson: 55 points, 9 assists, 18-31 FG
• Justin Champagnie: 31 points, 10 rebounds, 5-10 3PT
• Karl-Anthony Towns: 30 points, 14 rebounds, 2 blocks
• Malcolm Brogdon: 22 points, 7 assists, 4 rebounds